Danger sign



D. HAYS DANGER SIGN April 21, 1953 Filed Sept. 2, 1949 Zhwentoi R96 Ba WW (Ittomeg S.

Patented Apr. 21, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to danger signs for parked automobiles andtrucks, and has foran object to provide a safety device for automobilesand trucks comprising a sign which can be set up a hundred feet or so infront or back of a stopped car or truck on the road, as, for example,when making repairs or changing a tire, to warn approaching drivers, andfurther, to provide such a sign which can be readily detached or takendown and carried in the car and as readily set up for use.

With the foregoing and other objects in v1ew, I have devised theconstruction illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part ofthis specification. It is, however, to be understood the invention isnot limited to the specific details of construction and arrangementshown, but may embody various changes and modifications within the scopeof the invention.

In this drawing:

Fig. l is a front view of this device set up ready for use;

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof;

Fig. 3 is a view of the back of the plate;

Figs. 4, 5, 6 and '7 are detail sections thereof substantially on lines4-4, 5--5, 66 and l-'I respectively of Fig. 3, and

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the device taken down and ready for storing ina car.

The device comprises a sign plate II) of any suitable material,preferably sheet metal, with a danger sign II on it of any suitablewords. The surface of the plate Il] may be a luminous or lightreflecting surface forming a background for the letters, or, ifpreferred, the letters could be the reflecting surface contrasting withthe surface of the plate. When in use it is supported on threesupporting legs I2 and I3, the two legs I2 being located adjacent theends of the plate It and substantially in the plane of the plate, whilethe leg I3 is attached to the plate at substantially the center thereofand is inclined backwardly and downwardly therefrom to provide asteadying and supporting brace, as shown in Fig. 2. A simple andeffective means is provided for securing these legs to the plate It].The two forward legs I2 are permanently attached to the plate, while theinclined leg I3 is detachably connected therewith. These legs arepreferably substantially fiat strips of metal, and the legs I arepivotally connected to the plate ID by suitable rivets M. This rivetconnection permits the legs I2 to be swung laterally to lie against theback of the plate I0 when not in use, as shown in Fig. 8, and then whenit is desired to set up the sign they may be easily and quickly swung tothe supporting position of Fig. l and the dotted line position of Fig.3; to extend downwardly from the lower edge of the plate I0. To retainthem in this position a pair of lugs I5 and It for each leg are lancedand bent backwardly from the plate II} and, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4,are spaced substantially the width of the legs I2 or a little greater toprovide proper clearance. The lug or car I5 is substantially at rightangles to the plate Ill, while the lug or ear I6 is somewhat inclined,as shown in Fig. 4, toward the lug I5, so that in swinging the leg fromthe collapsed position shown in Fig. 8 and in full lines in Fig. 3, itwill slide up the inclined lug It to the dotted position of Fig. 4,flexing the leg slightly, and then when over the space between the lugsI5 and I6 the resiliency of the material will cause it to seat betweenthe two lugs I5 and I 8 and retain it in this position when the deviceis in use. In collapsing or taking down the device the leg is merelysprung backwardly to remove it from the position between the lugs I5 andIt, so that it is released, and then it may be readily swung to theposition lying against the back of the plate I0, as shown in full linesFigs. 3 and 8.

As above indicated, the central or bracing le I3 is detachably connectedto the plate III. For this purpose the plate I0 is lanced longitudinallyat the center thereof adjacent the top and bottom edges, and then thematerial between these cuts or lances is forced backwardly to form theloops IT. The leg I3 is bent at the proper angle at I8, forming theupright portion I9 which is inserted through these loops l1, and theloops are so formed as to provide a gripping action on the portion IQ ofthe leg to secure it to the plate II], but will permit ready withdrawalor separation from the plate when taking down the plate, and then it maybe placed on the back of the plate between the folded legs I2, as shownin Fig. 8. The parts may be placed in a suitable flat package or carton.

In use, the operator when forced to halt his car or truck on the road,may readily set up this device by swinging the two legs I2 from thefolded position shown in full lines in Figs. 3 and 8 to the full lineposition of Fig. 1 and the dotted line position of Fig. 3, where theyare securely held by the rivet I4 and the lugs I5 and It. The leg I3 maybe easily and quickly attached to the plate II] by merely inserting theend portion I9 through the loops I1, and the device may be set at theproper distance either to the front or the rear of the halted car ortruck, and will provide a very effective warning to an approachingdriver. The legs form a very stable support for the sign 3 so that it isnot liable to be blown over. After use, it may be as readily taken downand stored in the car by merely withdrawing the leg 13 from the loop I!and then swinging the leg I2 to the back of the plate 10.

It will be noted that in this construction the plate itself is the meansfor connecting the supporting legs and the legs are therefore connectedto the plate rather than to each other or some separate structure.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, I claim:

A portable warning sign comprising a metal plate forming the body of thesign provided with a warning indication visible from the front thereof,a pair of forward supporting legs adjacent the opposite ends of theplate, means for pivotally securing said legs to the plate to extenddownwardly therefrom in a supporting position and foldable to acollapsed position along the back of the plate, a third leg secured tothe plate at an intermediate position and inclined downward- ReferencesCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date1,135,241 Woods Apr. 13, 1915 1,629,229 Sharp May 17, 1927 2,205,818Lane June 25, 1940 2,228,806 Anderson Jan. 14, 1941 2,594,464 LoucksApr. 29, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 147,829 SwitzerlandSept. 1, 1931

